The School Zone at Agri Careers will be a fun and interactive zone which will showcase to students how they can best prepare themselves for the Leaving Cert, and how they can ensure they make the right CAO choice, particularly if they are interested in pursuing a third-level course in the area of agriculture or food science.

It will also be a bit of craic! The first panel to take to the stage are the Young Stars of the Irish Farmers Journal. These are the more recent additions to the Irish Farmers Journal editorial team and, during this slot, attendees will hear how these individuals climbed their way to the top of their respective fields at such a young age and they will learn about a day in the life of being an up-and-coming agri-journalist. Journalists participating include Ciarán Lenehan, beef specialist, Peter Varley, farm buildings and environment correspondent and Aisling Hussey, social media journalist.

This will be followed by a slot manned by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC). The IGC members will impart their nuggets of wisdom to help attendees on the day make the right CAO choice. Pursuing an area of study you are genuinely interested in is a guidance counsellor mantra; for many attending on the day following their passion will see them pursue a career in the agri and food sectors so we hope they will come away more informed about their choices within this sphere in particular.

Students dead set on getting into a Level 8 Ag Science degree programme will be interested in the next topic – particularly if they’re concerned they won’t get their desired points. This is why, for the next slot, we have brought together agri-education experts from institutions such as DkIT, UCD and WIT. They will be giving insights into alternatives routes into the courses in their respective colleges – it’s up to students then to ensure they put themselves in a position to avail of them.

Are you smarter than your ag-science teacher?

Farming is fun and we like to think we’re a bit of craic in the Irish Farmers Journal (please download our Farmoji app if you don’t believe us), so we’re bringing some banter to the stage at lunchtime in the form of a battle. Can a team of students take down a team of teachers in the “Are you smarter than your ag-science teacher” quiz? The quiz is based on agri-knowledge, but not all questions will be academic so teachers must be tuned into the modern world of farming today if they really want to show their students that teachers know best.

The final slot sees a representative from grinds school Hewitt College take to the stage. Hewitt College, which is in Cork city, places a big emphasis on Leaving Cert agricultural science and agricultural economics. The school will share top tips for students about how to maximise their performance on the day.

For any student studying ag science, or interested in pursuing a career in the agri-food sector, the Schools Zone is a one stop-shop to have all of their exam and CAO queries answered – you cannot afford to miss it.